Bite marks discovered on the skeleton of a gladiator in Roman-era England suggest the man faced off with a lion in the arena, according to a new study.

Researchers say the man’s spinal damage, lung inflammation, and lion bite offer a rare glimpse into the brutal reality of Roman arena combat.

Bite marks from a large cat, likely a lion, found in a ancient skeleton are the “first physical evidence” that gladiators fought animals in Roman amphitheaters, new research shows.